I'm way bummed. Had to destroy a civiliation this morning. (Bees)

[Coventina]

Early evening yesterday, I discovered what I believed to be a newly forming hive against the wall of my house.

Called a bee-removal company and requested a humane removal (which they specialize in).

I was given caveats, which I expected. Sometimes they have to be exterminated, rather than removed.

Well, that's how it turned out.

Instead of a newly organizing hive (which is much easier to remove), it turned out to be a vast civilization with 40 lbs of honeycomb!!
The technician said it had to have been there for months!

How did I not notice?!?!?!

So, all that honey poisoned. Dead/dying bees all over my yard.
Workers returning to find their home destroyed.

I'm depressed.

[TeeYiYi]

1. Now I'm depressed.

TYY

[Coventina]

3. I'm sorry! Don't mean to bring others down. But had to vent...

We need a "group cry" smiley....

[jonno99]

2. Very sad :(

Like I told my son, we like bees (wasps even), and don't want to harm them - unless they become a nuisance. Then we have to act...

[Coventina]

4. Yeah, the hive had to go, and it was too big to move.

But, I'm kicking myself for never noticing it while it was still possible to rescue....

[magical thyme]

5. ...

I'm so sorry. I love bees. Luckily, they don't seem to nest in impossible places so far. Only the yellow jackets I had to kill last winter (which the winter was so tough it may have done them in anyway)...

[Coventina]

6. I love bees too. That makes this so hard! They are fascinating creatures and so important!!

I've always dreamed of having a hive.
Not because I want the honey or anything (I wouldn't harvest it), I just want to promote bees.

And now, I have the death of thousands on my hands.....